Nepal was once the world's only Hindu kingdom and has been a secular state since 2008. About 81% of Nepalis are Hindu and about 8% Buddhist, but the two traditions are deeply interwoven: many people honour both, and the same shrine may be worshipped by each under different names.
Hinduism
Hinduism honours a vast family of gods, traditionally said to number 330 million, led by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Hindus accept the authority of the Vedas and believe in karma and rebirth; liberation comes from realising the unity of the self and the absolute.
- Brahma
- The creator. Although first of the trinity, he has very few temples of his own.
- Vishnu
- The preserver, who takes many forms, such as Narayan at Budhanilkantha and Changu Narayan, or Krishna and Rama.
- Shiva
- The destroyer and renewer, also lord of yoga and dance. Pashupatinath is his great sanctuary.
- Hanuman
- The monkey god of the Ramayana, symbol of courage and loyalty. He gave his name to Hanuman Dhoka palace in Kathmandu.
- Ganesh
- Elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, remover of obstacles, honoured before any undertaking. Legend says Shiva, not recognising his son, cut off his head, then replaced it with an elephant's.
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama was born at Lumbini, in present-day Nepal, the son of a king. He left the palace to seek an end to suffering, reached enlightenment and taught that all beings are equal. Buddhism in Nepal includes the Newar Vajrayana tradition of the Kathmandu Valley and the Tibetan schools, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug, found around Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and in the high mountains. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang described Lumbini in the 7th century.